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Where do you go on family vacations?

I recently read a quote pointing out that you have only 18 summer vacations with your children—so you have to make them count! As the summer approaches, I'm curious: Which family vacation spots would you recommend? We adore Palm Springs, Chicago, Michigan and Fire Island, but I'm curious to learn about other great places. I asked nine friends for ideas, below, and I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts, too. Here goes...Roadtripping on the California coast
We love renting a VW camper van in Redwood City near San Francisco and driving up and down the west coast to Big Sur, Carmel and the Redwoods. (It fulfills every hippie dream we've ever had, but disclaimer—we camp only every other night!) It feels like a real adventure and seems like the perfect way to slowly take in all that California majestic beauty. We went over the second week of September, so luckily we didn't have to prebook anything, and I relied on Yelp for hotel recommendations. We mostly stayed in cabin-like hotels—Big Sur has especially amazing options, ranging from Airstream trailers to yurts to modern cabins. —Kendra Smoot, prop stylistTulum, Mexico
Our other favorite spot is Tulum, Mexico. It's just so easy—a direct flight from NYC, a short drive and then you're at one of the most stunning beaches you've ever seen. We love the amazing tacos and cool eco-chic cabanas. (One of my favorite hotels, Casa Violeta, doesn't have electricity at night. They light candles and you sleep under pretty mosquito nets.) But, really, the best thing is turning off the phone and just having long days together that are totally stress-free. I always feel like we get so much quality time together—we feel very bonded after those trips. And naked beach bums! —Kendra Smoot, prop stylistHudson, NY
What I like about Hudson: laid-back, small-town feel with delicious restaurants, plus lots of galleries and art that you can window shop while pushing a stroller. They have an annual Halloween parade down Warren Street (the main drag) which we happened upon last year and it was the highlight of my son's year, stopping into the hardware store and art galleries for candy. The farmer's market is a highlight (the pie guy!!! we always stock up on a pie or two) and Hudson is accessible by train from NYC which makes it a nice easy weekend getaway. You can find great places to stay on Airbnb. Favorite restaurants: Grazin Diner, Crimson Sparrow, Mexican Radio. —Abbey Nova of Design ScoutingMiami, FL
Miami is surprisingly family-friendly for a place that has a bit of a party-town reputation. What I like about it: a direct flight from NYC, lots of things to do with kids (beach, pool, museums) and good food of all kinds. Oh and wait, the weather! Also, just walking around the streets is an activity in itself with a lot to see and experience. Favorite restaurants: Mandolin Miami, La Sandwicherie, Yardbird. —Abbey Nova of Design ScoutingJoshua Tree National Park, California
We love heading out to the California desert, where we explore Joshua Tree National Park and stay in a little adobe cottage at the 29 Palms Inn, which is on a natural oasis. Springtime is my favorite time to visit, as the desert is in bloom and the weather, while a lovely relief from the still-cold-and-rainy days of NYC, isn't too hot yet. It may reach 90 degrees in the middle of the day, but there's always the pool back at the hotel to keep things cool. There are loads of giant rocks to scramble up (my daughter has started getting really into rock climbing) and all sorts of desert wildlife. The landscape is truly unique—you don't see Joshua Trees growing anywhere else in the world! It really feels like you've entered another universe. —Brooke Williams of This is AuthenticSan Francisco
In the summer, we like to take a break from the hazy East Coast humidity, pack our sweaters and head west to San Francisco, where a typical July morning can be in the mid 50's! San Francisco is an incredible place to explore with kids (as those of you who live there must know). There's the Exploratorium, the Conservatory of Flowers with its giant meat-eating plants, or the De Young if you want to check out some serious art...Oh, and my secret favorite spot to go with my daughter is across the bay—Fairyland in Oakland. It's an old-fashioned theme park based on all the classic kids tales with none of the horrible commercialized feeling of today's theme parks. It's like going back to a kinder, gentler time. I will be heartbroken when my daughter outgrows it (though she swears she never will!) —Brooke Williams of This is AuthenticMontauk, NY
We love Montauk, on the eastern end of Long Island, for a quick and easy city escape. We stay at Sole East, where our daughter Sophia can hang in the pool for hours. For restaurants, South Edison has great food, and Navy Beach is cool for a beachy sunset dinner (plus they have bocce ball for the kiddos). —Karen Mordechai of Sunday SuppersTalbot County, Maryland
In New York City, I think one of the hardest things is finding a place to go that feels far away and doesn't require a plane ticket. If you push outside of the comfort zone of a three-hour drive, and allow for four, it can make all the difference—and as long as it has a pool, we are all happy. One of our favorite places, where we have returned again and again, is Talbot County in Maryland. We stay at the Inn at Perry Cabin, which has beautiful rooms, a pool, amazing gardens and great food (two restaurants—one fancy, and one a more casual pub style). There's lots of room to run around, and it's on the water, so there are tons of boats for the kids to look at. The Inn is on the edge of a tiny historic town called St. Michaels, which has lots of restaurant and shopping and is next to one our favorite museums, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. We always go to the Crab Claw, an old-school, family-run restaurant. You order a dozen blue crabs, they bring them to the table and dump them on newspaper, and you just sit and pick and eat. —Yolanda Edwards, creative director of Conde Nast Traveler and founder of MomfilterBaltimore, MD
Another unexpected place we love that's easy and has a pool is Baltimore. We stay at the Four Seasons, which is on the water, next to the National Aquarium, and next to the Historic Ships of Baltimore, where you wander in and out of great boats. If we could, we would eat every meal at the Woodberry Kitchen, which serves up delicious food, mostly sourced within 60 miles. It's owned by parents, so they have cute things like organic play dough they give kids to play with while you wait. —Yolanda Edwards, creative director of Conde Nast Traveler and founder of MomfilterGulf Coast beaches, FL
Growing up in Florida, we spent nearly all our vacations at the Gulf Coast beaches. One of my favorites is Pass a Grille, a quaint, laid-back beach town with an historic Florida feel. It's not as busy as the more popular St. Pete or Clearwater beach destinations, which makes it a perfect family getaway spot. On our most recent trip we stayed at an adorable boutique hotel called The Coconut Inn and it was just perfect—steps from the beach, restaurants, ice cream and shops. Fun tip: Have breakfast at The Seahorse, then head over to Merry Pier and catch the Shell Key shuttle for shell hunting and dolphin watching. —Alyson Brown of Unruly ThingsBlock Island, Rhode Island
We are huge Block Island fans and when our girls were young (about ages 2 to 5) we went there three summers in a row. It's super laid-back, not ridiculously crowded like some beach islands, and quintessentially New England with its dive-y seafood shacks, weathered shingled houses and grand hotels overlooking the Atlantic. When we were on our game, we'd figure out the rental a few months ahead of time (this was always our go-to site) but even when we waited til the last minute, we always found something that worked. One summer, I think we got the last available rental on the island—it was kind of small and a little run-down, but it was still the best vacation ever because Block Island is such an outdoorsy kind of place, between the hiking, kayaking, crabbing, pond-crashing, boogie-boarding, wave-jumping and general Dark-and-Stormy drinking, which you must must do on a patio overlooking the ocean. I think that is the law, you never want to be inside unless you are sleeping. That's another reason we loved it back then—something about the briny ocean air made the kids sleep and nap so well. So we all got to relax. —Jenny Rosenstrach of Dinner: A Love StoryTwain Harte, California
Our favorite family vacation spot is Twain Harte, a small town in the California mountains where I went as a child and where my husband Josh and I got married. Now we've started taking our son, Eli, and I'm seeing with fresh eyes what a wonderful place it is for kids. In the summer, we swim in the town lake, pick wild blackberries and barbecue every night. The town has a few cute motels, but ideally I would recommend renting a cabin there. —Lena Corwin, designerEl Capitan Canyon, CAEl Capitan Canyon, just north of Santa Barbara, is less than two hours by car from Los Angeles but once you get off the exit on the Pacific Coast Highway you feel like you're light years away. There is a llama farm. Fields of wildflowers. Hiking trails. A creekside forest. Free bikes to ride to the beach. It's the perfect place for a trip with multiple families, since you can rent a safari tent, a cabin with a kitchenette or a yurt. Each comes with a fire pit for roasting marshmallows under the big starry sky. It's also so close to Santa Barbara and Isla Vista that you can pop down for lunch. A local favorite is Freebirds in Isla Vista. Make sure to order the "quesarrito"—a burrito wrapped in a quesadilla. It's not on the menu but you won't soon forget it. —Elizabeth Antonia of The LittlestWhidbey Island, WAWhidbey Island, just north of Seattle, is a perfect place to take little ones. It's quick ride on a ferry, which kids always love. The seafood is amazing (home of Penn Cove oysters!) and you can collect driftwood and build sand castles on the beaches. Downtown Coupeville has a pier with a small museum and a great bakery called Knead and Feed. If you want to blow your kid's mind, go to Kapaw's for ice cream—the owners don't believe in just one scoop! We stay at Fort Casey Inn, where you can get your own charming two-story cottage with a claw-foot tub and a wood-burning stove. It's at the edge of a state park with deer and bunnies. Our favorite restaurant is Seabolt's Smokehouse in Oak Harbor; they have fresh-caught halibut sandwiches, and fish and chips for the kids. On the north end of the island is the breathtaking Deception Pass Bridge and Bowman's Bay, which has beautiful family-friendly hikes. My husband and I have spent a lot of time on Cape Cod, and this reminds us of a western version. In springtime, it feels like there is a fairy behind every leaf and flower. —Elizabeth Antonia of The Littlest

Where do you like to go on family trips? Any places you'd recommend? (Especially places in the middle of the country, since these were mostly on the coasts.) I'd love to hear your thoughts, below. Thank you so much!

163 comments:

When I was a child we went to the greek island Patmos every year. It is small andsooo beautiful!! Perfect for children. With my own children we are going to Sweden this year. All Astrid Lindgren like in a red house by a lake. I'm so excited

Some beautiful destinations here, many of which I'm yet to visit!My family has never had very much money so we used to stay in England, driving up to the Lake District for a week in the autumn when the prices were low but the colours burst across the trees and fells. Going back to the same place year after year and spending days hiking and then snuggling around pub meals was lovely and means I have a really strong attachment to the place now xxxLucy @ La Lingua Italy

It's like there's nothing between the two coasts! What about lakes in Michigan or Wisconsin, or the mountains of Colorado or Utah or any of the wonderful National Parks such as Glacier or Yellowstone or Bryce or Rocky Mtn? All opportunities for great summer vacations and exposure to some beautiful places. There are many wonderful spots on your list but it would have been nice to see a wider variety of experiences and suggestions.

Kennebunkport, ME and Avalon, NJ!! My family goes to these two places every year...my mom and dad have flyer miles to burn but every time they try to plan a trip to spain they always say, why don't we just go to Kennebunkport again?? :)

This got my wheels turning about pre-planning vacations with kiddos, saving for really cool trips at different ages that they would appreciate it, and considering things like stroller friendly-ness. Joanna, these vaca posts are simply making me itch to get outta town! I keep hearing about beautiful Tulum!

But to answer the question, we have a summer home in Jackson Hole, Wy and have summered there every year of my entire life. It's so beautiful and peaceful with wonderful restaurants and fantastic wild life!

I echo @ Liz's comments above about South Dakota! My family is from eastern SD and we go back every summer. While not thrilling in a traditional sense, the rural plains offer a laid back way of life that my San Franciscan son doesn't typically see. We go boating on the many lakes, shoot firecrackers on the 4th of July, count seconds between thunder and lightning during thunderstorms, and eat vegetables out of my mother's garden, etc.. It's a super fun, beautiful, and affordable option if you're looking for a complete change of pace.

Wow USA has such a lot to offer! I really want to travel around there more.

Tulum is somewhere that I keep hearing about and would like to visit as well.

I've never been to any of those places (live in the UK). I grew up going to the same house in the South of France in August every year from the age of 10 to the age of well, ahem I'm still going age 23. It's the same three families of 3 kids each that go, so there's 15 of us altogether and it's so much fun! Late nights with BBQs and midnight swims. We never travelled anywhere very exotic as kids but I wouldn't change that for the world. Here's a little post I did about it a while ago: http://arowantree.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/half-sleep.html

my parents took my sister and i a few times to Chincoteague – wild ponies live on the the neighboring island, Assateague, and once a year they're rounded up and herded across the river between the two towns. SWIMMING PONIES. it left an impression!

Stone Harbor, NJ; Falmouth on Cape Cod; Seabrook Island, South Carolina. A vacation is not a vacation to us unless there's a beach. I will say - that if you're the favorite child (as I am :) ) you continue to vacation with your parents well beyond 18! I am 26 and single and have limited means (working in non-profit arts management) so I join my parents on vacation each summer. I get to enjoy a week on a beach where I couldn't otherwise afford to go, sometimes bring along a close family friend who my parents love, and my world-traveling, in-relationships siblings once in a while come as well. Otherwise, I do weekend trips to visit friends in DC or NYC or Philly or host them here in Annapolis, MD.

We grew up the first 18 years of my life going to Seagrove Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is the idyllic spot where Truman Show was filmed. Now as a family we go to our home in Dillon, Montana...it is very peaceful and beautiful. We always enjoyed visiting Ocracoke Island, NC in the Outer Banks as a family.

We've gone many times to Emerald Isle, NC. Quiet beach and nearby small islands with wild horses and good shelling. Also dolphins and pelicans. Lots of great memories of extended family beach vacations.

Prince Edward Island is breathtakingly lovely with an added bonus for all those Anne of Green Gables fans.

Colorado and Utah have great places to travel with children. We've spent summer vacations in the Vail/Beavercreek area and were surprised at how family friendly both were. Lots of activities set up for young kids - and unbelievably beautiful to boot. Highly recommend.

We did a lot of family vacations to NYC when I was growing up. We always stayed with family in Queens and took public transport into the City. :) I hope to be able to do the same with my kiddos!

My husband and I just took a babymoon (baby is due in 4 weeks!) to the TX Hill Country and Austin this weekend and I will always love visiting that area! Lots of historical small towns, great food, weather, and things to do! Austin has great parks and outdoorsy things to do--we went swimming at Barton Springs in Zilker Park for the first time and LOVED IT. Lots of young families with little kiddos there-so very family friendly! Can't wait to come back with kids!

We do a road trip each summer with a mix of camping and hotels. We've done the Midwest plus Yellowstone (agree that South Dakota is great) then did southwest Zion, arches, Grand Canyon etc. and this year is CA coast. We live in sacramento ca so Iowa was a long drive but the kids are awesome and it's always fun to see new parts of the country.

The Adirondack mountains! I'm sure my family took us kids because it was inexpensive but I have so many incredible memories from that place. There's a great amusement park called Enchanted Forest that's been there for years and years, and the outdoor activities are unbeatable. Plus plenty of lakes and ponds for swimming, cabins for camping. It's the best.

Agree with @Samantha. Would love to see some family friendly spots highlighted between the coasts. Some of us are far away from the coasts, as well, and would like to see vacation ideas closer to home!

I'm obviously from the midwest so I have to represent - and although pretty much no one from NYC or CA would consider it, a trip to Minneapolis and St. Paul can be awesome too :)

I personally prefer to actually stay close to home in the summer since it is so amazing around here - I want to get out when it's winter but love enjoying all the summer weekends I can right here in Minnesota.

I grew up in Michigan, (you did too, no?!) and I think a summer vacation in Michigan is pure bliss. I live in Wyoming now, (jackson hole) and every summer I beg my husband to go back to michigan with me for a week or two. The water, the boats, the slow pace of life, the 5:00 cocktail hour on the dock, the endless adventures, the PRICE!! unbeatable... I think you should do a michigan post and feed of all our hearts with stories of our past!

This travel series could not have come at a better time! I've been looking for weekend/quick holiday destinations to take our family, and Cup of Jo always has the best ones (our trip to Palm Springs this weekend was based on your recommendation Jo!). X.

We have never been on vacation as a family! I'm pretty shocked to realize that myself! I guess we've had a lot on our plates since we started a family and there just was not time, energy or money. We do live in Hawaii so are sort of on permanent vacation in way.

We have traveled, as a family, to Boston, California and Sydney Australia but those where not vacations but medical trips.

We are planning our first ever real vacation for February next year. Snowboarding in Colorado for 4 weeks!! It's pretty far away but we are all excited.

Native Midwesterner, now a Rhode Islander. I have so many, many spots in western Michigan that would be lovely for families: Grand Haven, New Buffalo, Grand Rapids, but I think kids would love Holland, MI. The thought of little ones with their own wooden shoes makes my heart sing!

Out East, we love visiting Camden & Belfast, ME, Duke Farms in NJ, Block Island and the South Coast of Mass, before you get to the Cape.

I grew up in Michigan, and we always went "up north" every summer to a cottage on a lake. I rarely left the state as a kid! We could swim, have campfires, ride bikes, get ice cream, go hiking, etc. I'm thinking of starting the tradition (although not every summer) with my family :).

Great choices and those of you from between the coasts, feel free to add your favourite spots. I would disagree that there are only 18 summers. It's almost more fun vacationing with ones adult children. I just spent a week in Mexico with my son and daughter-in-law.

To reply to some of the comments about the giant fly-over: I grew up in California but have been in the midwest for nearly a decade and have experienced many places from the Badlands to the Great Lakes to the Ozarks to the TN Smokies. Such wonderful places! Despite this, I haven't yet found a place to parallel the beauty, intrigue, variety, and overall feel of the west. Oh, I miss it so. Our family vacations were mostly in-state because there's just so much to see!

One could argue, though, that my love of the left coast could be a mix of childhood nostalgia and my subconscious wanting to return there.

I don't have children, but when I was a kid my family made several vacations to the Colorado Rockies, and it was heaven! It's so outdoorsy. We stayed in a private cabin with bunk beds, took nature walks and hung out on porch swings at the big lodge. Best of all for me--we went horseback riding on the trails! It fueled my childhood dreams of horses for years.

Our favorite vacation spot is Ojai, California...we have been to so many amazing places all over the world, and we always end up coming back to Ojai...we contemplated going to Hawaii for our "babymoon" in August and at the end of the day decided we'd rather hole up in a romantic suite, lay by the pool and go for long bike rides through the orchards :) Ojai Valley Inn is a splurge, but you won't regret it!

And who says family vacations have to end when your kids turn 18?? I am 29 and our family vacations have only gotten better (and rowdier!) now that we're all adults with fun spouses (and of drinking age!) :) Start the tradition early and your kids will want to vacation with you for the rest of your life!

When I was a kid we always went to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri- so much fun taking boats out and fishing. We stayed at a little resort called Shangri La which was outdated but well kept and I always felt like I was travelling back to the 60's! We would fish for hours, rent a boat to take out all day, grill out and hang by the pool. So fun!

When my girls were three, we went to Amish Country in PA. We stayed at a working dairy farm that served breakfast. We had a huge apartment (two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and den) for like $85 per night. The farmer's wife made an ENORMOUS breakfast that you ate with all of the other guests. We got to see a calf be born, milk cows, bottle feed calves, ride ponies, feed the chickens and collect eggs for breakfast the next day. We took a canoe ride down the creek. It was one of our best family vacations ever!

I agree with Chris...I'm still vacationing with my parents and I'm in my 30s. We all do other vacations, but it's a great way to have some family bonding. This past Thanksgiving, we cruised and it was a great way to celebrate a holiday and visit tropical islands. Sooo, speaking of family vacations...I recommend at least one family cruise as your kids become teenagers/young adults. There's something for everyone and you can always meet up for dinner.

We love to road trip with our kids (6 & 2) in the summer. I'm originally from California so we usually make a trip out there to catch up with the extended family. We drive up the coast between LA & san Francisco alternating between camping at the beach, staying with family and hotels. We live in Colorado and we either go camping or rent/borrow a condo in the mountains (Aspen, vail, telluride, crested butte) probably every other weekend that we are home during the summer. It is absolutely gorgeous in the Rocky Mountains in the summer, magical even. Also my husbands family usually rents a house boat at lake powell for a week in August which is beautiful and probably my kids favorite of all the summer trips we take. You can't beat playing in the water 24/7 for the under 10 set:)

So many great ideas! (I live in SF so that doesn't seem as exciting.) My sister-in-law are taking her elementary age kids to see the "7 wonders of Oregon." and my husband and I are talking about taking our toddler on a west coast road trip.

My family used to go to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. My mom's side of the family would rent a big house near the ocean and the whole extended family could spend time together. My dad would make a breakfast feast in the morning and we would spend a good part of the day on the beach. In the late afternoons we would spend time at the pool or go out and explore the island (mini golf, jet skiing, kayaking in the salt marshes with dolphins, and visiting the local outlet malls). Oh and the seafood! Amazing. So many great memories.

Jackson Hole, WY...it is truly a breathtaking place to visit. We take the kids (boys, 11 and 7) and stay in Teton Village right at the foot of the mountains. The scenery, the skiing/snowboarding, the wildlife and the SKY, oh my god, the sky, it is unbelievable. My hubby and I are both foodies and we have eaten some of our best meals in Jackson. Even living in the windy cold city of Chicago, I still dream of snowy Jackson. :)

I LOVE these suggestions, and all the recommendations for Michigan in the comments. As a native Texan I was shocked by how GORGEOUS Michigan is. The UP is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

THAT SAID, if you visit Santa Barbara/Isla Vista PLEASE do not go to Freebirds. It's great but it's a national chain and not a "local" favorite. I would recommend Super Cuca's one block away for a real "Isla Vista" feel and cheap, delicious Mexican food. Or, even better, eat in actual SB and pick anything on State St. :)

I am allll about the gulf coast of Florida for vacation- my parents used to pile us all up in the car and drive us across alligator alley yearly in September. South Seas Resort is at once relaxing and romantic- great for families and couples (not a shameless plug- I just love this place.)

I'm also glad my parents didn't wait for us to get older to travel farther out. I went to Greece when I was 6 with my grandfather and will never forget my time there.

Absolutely love this post. Because we live in a smaller city, my partner and I almost always travel to big cities on our vacations - NYC, Chicago, Vancouver, Montreal. These spots look pretty sweet too.

I'll add another vote for Michigan! Every summer of my almost 29 years my family has driven 6 hours from Cleveland, OH to Lake City, MI. It's a very small town, great for relaxing on the beach. It also claims to have the "Greatest 4th in the North!" If you're looking for more excitement you're only about an hour from Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leelanau peninsula, and more. Driving to the UP is on my bucket list!

Bald Head Island NC is a magical place. Just off the coast from Wilmington, you can only reach the island by ferry. We stayed in a lovely home nestled in the woods. There are no cars, only bikes and golf carts. My kids loved the novelty of the golf carts and we loved that the kids could ride off on the bikes on there own. They were 9, 11 and 14 when we visited last.

Joshua Tree for sure. I think you should get out in the wilderness and camp in a tent at least one of those eighteen times. It is so beautiful to be in nature, really in it! Utah (Zion, Moab) is another great place for camping.

The first sentence of your post made my heart jump! My eldest is already three and we're going to spend this summer vacation moving back to the states from the Philippines. But we will squeeze in some time on the Oregon Coast which is beautiful and where I spent three weeks every summer until I went to college.

My parents took my sister and I someone different every summer as a family so we were able to see many parts of the U.S. and some of Europe. I would highly recommend a road trip when your boys are a little older. I did one with my family for about 3 weeks out west. We flew to CO and rented an RV, drove to the Grand Canyon, Bryce National Park, Grand Tetons, Taos, NM, etc. I was about 8, my older sister 12 so I remember it and it stands out as one of the best family vacations we ever took!

I have to say, as a 23-year-old I enjoy vacations with my family now more than I did when I was a child. My mom has really embraced the wanderlust spirit, and we have just started a tradition of one family member choosing a spot every summer - last year we went to Turkey, and at the end of the month we're going to Montreal (actually...my mom picked both of those, but I'm not complaining!). We also have an annual Labor Day trip to a guest ranch in California - it is certainly much less exciting than Turkey or whatever comes next, but they both allow us to spend time together, experiencing new things and appreciating our traditions.

Pretty sure nobody from a coast would believe me, but the Midwest has really got its gems. Lucas, KS is the home to the Garden of Eden (look it up!) and has amazing folk art and grassroots art all over the place. I was in awe when I was around 10. You've got the Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas for canoeing, camping, and hiking. There are great little places all over Iowa, such as Clear Lake which is just about the prettiest little town you've never been to. They host the Iowa Storytelling Festival every July which I'm dying to go to. We took a ride on a steamboat in Brownsville, Nebraska that I still remember. We used to rent cabins in Minnesota with cousins and just swim and fish and live outside for days and days.

My dad is a huge history lover so we were always pulling over to walk around old cemeteries and to read history markers, and one summer we visited as many Pony Express stations as we could find. Even though those could get tedious as a kid, my brother and I to this day love and appreciate and revel in that kind of thing, all thanks to my parents and our summer trips!

We are newly obsessed with Ocracoke, NC. It's an island off the Outer Banks only accessible by ferries...no mini golf, movie theaters or outlet malls, but tons of charming restaurants, National Park beaches, wild ponies, fishing, sailing and tooling around the island on a bicycle. It's so quaint, the locals even have a distinct accent.

Every year we go to a beach town on the Washington state coast called Seabrook. It is a 4 hour drive (no flying yay!) and the kids adore going there ;) we've made some pretty neat memories. We rent a house and started a new tradition of spending Thanksgiving there. We are going this summer and I just can't wait! http://kraftmint.com/2013/11/30/inspiration-seabrook-wa/Ursula

Well, since we had our toddler our family vacations have been visiting extended family - we live in Toronto (I agree with the previous poster Joanna - come visit - the boys would have a blast!) but go visit my family in Victoria, British Columbia - surrounded by mountains and the ocean and we let the 4 cousins run wild!

It depends on so many variables! We have three boys who are all teenagers now (14, 16, 18). When they were young we did several summer vacations to Cape Cod, Hilton Head and Bar Harbor. All were awesome!

We've been to Disney World twice, once when they were young and once when they were pre-teens and teens. They loved it!

San Francisco and San Diego were both amazing vacations. Lots to do in both cities, and both have great access to outdoor activities (woods, beaches).

Tulum, Mexico (mentioned in your post) is one of our absolute favorite places! We just spent our spring vacation there (our third time there). It has an awesome, laid-back, hippie vibe.

National Parks are great places to go on vacation. We loved Yellowstone. Yosemite we visited along with a visit to Santa Cruz and Monterey. After loving those National parks, we wanted more so we next vacationed in Banff, Canada. Loved it!

We love snorkeling so have spent a few spring vacations in places like the Cayman Islands and Florida Keys. Both were amazing.

When the boys were young (4, 6, 8) we got a great airfare deal and went to Paris in the spring. What a great city to visit with kids! Crepes, parks, cathedrals, museums, it was all great!

Last year we spent three weeks in Greece & Italy and it was our best vacation ever. Food, museums, ruins, beaches--memories of a lifetime!

This year we are trying a new continent and are going to Peru! Cusco, Machu Pichu, etc.

I must say we are lucky to have easy-going boys that love family vacations. No sullen teenagers here! Vacations and travel are very important to us, so we spend our money on that instead of upgrading our house :)

It is funny that everything is on the coast, but then, you and yours all live near coasts, so that makes sense :)

Personally, I think a fabulous trip to take with kids would be to Yellowstone (and, okay, I'm biased because I live there, but it really would). In fact, a lot of people make it the the Ultimate road trip and go to Yellowstone and the Tetons, and also see Devil's Tower and Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills areas too. I always thought that sounds fun.

When I was a kid, my family always went to Tucson, Arizona for spring break. It's an incredible place- so many amazing sights to see in the surrounding areas (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Kitt's Peak observatory, Mount Lemmon, Kartchner Caverns), not to mention all the great neighborhoods in Tucson like the Presidio. If you go to Arizona, go to Tucson or north like the Grand Canyon, not Phoenix! :)

Pagosa Springs, CO! My husband's family has had a cabin there since he was a child. Now we roadtrip cross country to take our 3 boys. It is their absolute favorite place. Pagosa Springs is a quaint, down to earth, small town surrounded by mountains with a river running through town--picturesque! There is a natural hot spring, hiking and waterfalls, rafting, and skiing in season. We are going next month--cannot wait to watch my boys in their element!!

Santa Fe! I'm biased because I'm from there, but it's truly great. Amazing food, history, charming walkable downtown, huge farmer's market, mountains, and great little houses to rent. You really can't beat if for uniqueness :) I'd be happy to give you a million suggestions if you decided to go!

Road-tripping through Canada to a wedding in Maine - Ottawa is a really cool looking city

But honestly, my favorite was visiting grandma. She lived halfway across the country from us. So I would definitely consider it a vacation since I'd maybe only go once a year. Plus, what is more fun than playing in grandma's dusty ol' attic?

For about 19 yrs now, give or take 2 or 3 summers, my family has rented a house for a lovely, relaxing week on Vanderhorst Plantation on Kiawah Island, SC. We love that the beach is private. Most of the houses we have rented are either a few steps, a few hundred yards or a short bike ride from the ocean. We love renting bikes to cruise around the island, hunting sand dollars until we have too many to take home and driving into Charleston most nights for dinner! Love love love this tradition and happy to share it with my niece now:)

Being French and living in the Netherlands, most of my family vacations have been spent in European countries. When I was younger and still living in France, I would spend my summer at my grand-parents house with my cousins or somewhere in France with my parents for a week or two. When we moved to the Netherlands, we spent our first summer in Denmark. It was beautiful but we didn't have much sun. Living in a country where there are more rainy and cold days than sunny ones, we then decided to spend two weeks of our summer vacation in warm places: Greece (Lesbos and Corfu), Portugal, and the South of France. The rest of the time would be in France with my family. Now that I am in my mid-20s, I usually work in the summer but still try to spend a week abroad. Last year, my boyfriend and I went to Istanbul. We already have a pretty busy summer planned, but we're still trying to see if we can go somewhere in August just the two of us. Charlotte Travelling Flavours

Door County in Wisconsin. My husband and I are from Wisconsin, and our families still live there. We head to Door County for a week each summer. So much fun, relaxing, things to do as a family. Really my favorite times.

Just had THE most amazing family holiday in Bali - the resort thing is perfect for our aged kids (6 and 10) - made loads of friends and loved the kids' club - bonus was some down time for the grown ups. Balinese such delightful people and so much to do there.

We used to spend at least one week out of every summer in Santa Cruz (or nearby Capitola). Some of my best memories are of staying up late to make a beach bonfire and playing in the freezing cold Pacific.

Another favorite was Creede, Colorado. My grandparents used to run a guest ranch there, and it's your typical little old mining town. We'd make fishing poles out of sticks and string (that never worked) and rode horses and generally felt like pioneers in the old west.

This year we're going to southern france (from norway). First time as a family - with out soon to be 1 year old. We are staying 45 minutes outside of nice in provence. We have rented a home with a pool. We'll have to let you know how it goes to travel there with kids :) Only 4 weeks until we leave... yippi

This year we're going to southern france (from norway). First time as a family - with out soon to be 1 year old. We are staying 45 minutes outside of nice in provence. We have rented a home with a pool. We'll have to let you know how it goes to travel there with kids :) Only 4 weeks until we leave... yippi

As a child ,we always went on road trips. We explored a lot of the western half of the US. Sometimes we camped,others in motels. We did not have a lot of money. With my own family, we did the same thing. Camping was definitely the most relaxing with kids. They could bring friends. Vacations don't have to be expensive or in exotic locations. There are interesting and beautiful things to see in every state. Next summer I am going on a 6 week road trip with my sister and her family. We both will pull our own little trailers.

Carova, NC! It's the northern-most beach in the Outer Banks, right on the border of Virginia (Carolina + Virginia = Carova). It's 4x4 access only so it's very private and everyone loves driving on the beach to get to the house. You have to bring in all your supplies with you since driving out needs to be coordinated with the tides. The houses are huge with pools and hot tubs and the beaches are wide and so empty. Plus wild horses! It's great family boding time, there really are no distractions.

I currently live in my hometown - Charleston -- and lived for many years in DC/Maryland. Both great places. But, I inherited a working vacay in Telluride from my ex and fell in love with the southwest on the drive out. And, if I had a choice...midwest :)

Cape Cod!! When I was a kid, my family used to rent a house on the tip of the Cape, in Truro. I absolutely loved it. The beaches, the cute stores and restaurants in Provincetown...it was a great place to be a kid. I'm 28 and I still go on family vacations with my parents there!

We don't take a summer vacation every year, as it's too expensive. We go on one vacation a year usually- so sometimes in the summer, sometimes skiing in winter (North Conway, NH area), and once to Disney in the spring. Places we've gone with the kids in the summer include Cape Cod in MA (Chatham and Dennis) and North Conway, NH.

Growing up, I went to Long Beach Island, NJ, Cape May, NJ, Lake Ossipee, NH, and the Catskills. Also, went to Washington, DC and Florida a few times, but typically not in the summer as there is NOTHING worse than Washington DC heat in the summer! Trust me- hot, humid, it is NOT pleasant!

We live in MA, so typically vacation within a 3 hour drive from home. Airfare is SO much money for a family of 5! And, luckily, living in New England, there are plenty of beautiful places within driving distance.

yes, most of my friends live in CA or NY, so they were generally recommending destinations on the coasts. i realized that as their suggestions came in. that's one reason that i was so excited to read more comments about other places! thank you so much! (i also love traverse city in michigan; one of my favorite places in the world.)

last summer our family took a trip to France and fell in love. the kids always talk about the highlights and when we can go back! I'm from California and love NYC, but I think road trips all over the Midwest are the BEST!! we've been to Omaha on spring break, Nashville (more southern, but a car-friendly distance), Minneapolis; Mackinaw Island is but a drive away, rent a houseboat on the Mississippi or get some BBQ in Saint Louis. picnicking on Lake Michigan on the beach in Chicago is always a highlight for us in the summer. in Wisconsin, where we currently reside: Madeleine Island, Copper Falls and Andre-Kohler State Parks, go the one of the nations best farmer's markets in Madison and stroll down State Street or hit up any of the abundant festivals statewide! also check out Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn if you like to camp :)

Aw, I love this! Most years, our family vacations were in Galveston, TX, however, we took a many a road trips too (my dad doesn't like flying). We've been to both coasts via car, and I gotta say, it was really great. I didn't realize how special it was that my parents were self employed, so they could take off for 3 weeks while we drove to Cape Cod or California, but man, I've seen a lot of the US thanks to them...and there is a lot of good stuff in the middle: smokey mountains, rocky mountains, New Mexico desert is stunning (at least for the first 4 hours ;) ), grand canyon, etc. And that's just the south part of the US! One day I want to make it to Yellow Stone and Mount Rushmore.

My husband and I still take vacations with my parents and sister. We are all heading towards thirty. So… you could have more than 18! The key is for you to pay (even once your kids are grown) and get places where everyone has their own space -- this keeps everyone getting along. We live in outside of Atlanta and go to Tybee Island for Thanksgiving every year. We also take beach vacations to Huntington Beach and Fernandina Beach. These are my favorite trips because everyone can do what they want but we still get all kinds of time together just hanging out.

I live on Whidbey Island! So happy to see it made the list! It really is so very beautiful here; we feel lucky to live in such a great place:) Lots to do in the summer! In fact, my husband and I are going to hike Bowman Bay after work today:)

Thanks for this Joanna, great list. We are just planning a trip to Yellowstone, so excited to see more of the US. -So far we have loved taking our son Dylan to Mexico when he was little, he was 3m old and we were in a larger resort and we didn't really leave!- Shelter island was great when he was 6 months, small calm beaches and lovely cafés and walks.- we've been to Spain and France with him at 6/7 months too and that was fairly easy (!) - I am from the uk so we stopped there first- now he's 17 m old we are looking at shorter flights and hiring houses (air bnb and kid & coe)- we have hired places in Woodstock and Hudson which were fab (stayed in a gorgeous farmhouse, details on my blog) - I am keen to try Nantucket - the white elephant looks super kid friendly although it's not the cheapest- people have also told me Maine is great, friends hire houses in south west harbour - charleston was really good too, calm pace,friendly restaurants and pretty to walk around

There is a resort town and lake we go to in Okoboji, Iowa, which is the one of only three freshwater lakes in the WORLD. The other two are in Switzerland and Canada. It is just a few hours from us and is the best place to spend a week in the summer!

Another Michigan girl here. :-) When we were little my parents (who were both teachers so had summers off) piled us all into the car and drove to Colorado (Rocky Mountain National Park) and Wyoming.

But as I got older I went on a couple of youth camp trips to Isle Royale National Park. It is an island in Lake Superior off the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There is a small lodge, but is very much a back-country camping place otherwise. I have honestly never set foot in the lodge. The island is amazing and SO beautiful, and I can't wait to take our son backpacking there. There are no cars (you arrive by ferry or plane), and last time we went we couldn't even get cell service. It is the first (and only place) I've ever seen the northern lights. Ahhh...

For our family vacations so far we have taken our son to Cape Cod, Seattle (Alkai Beach), and Ogunquit, ME.

This year we are heading to Camp Wandawega in Wisconsin with a group of friends who all have small kids. Have you checked this place out yet? It has gotten a lot of press--I think it is that camp experience everyone wishes they could recreate from their childhood.

I love seeing all the Michigan love in the comments! I spent my childhood in Traverse City and adolescence in Grand Haven, so I'm especially fond of Lake Michigan's beaches (and wine country!).

I live in Nashville now, but my hubby and I still go up to Traverse City every summer, and sometimes in the autumn, to see friends and family.

It's so fun to see all the great restaurants and wineries popping up, there and it really is one of the most beautiful places in the US. We hope to buy land in Leelanau and build a little summer cottage someday.

One of my favorite day trips from the Bay Area is Monterey, particularly the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is just a marvel (especially if you can plan your visit around feeding times for the otters and the Open Sea exhibit). You can breakfast at First Awakenings down the street beforehand, then afterward pop down to Point Lobos for the dramatic scenery of roiling surf from the tops of high cliffs. There's also 17-Mile Drive past the Pebble Beach golf course and, if you're lucky, some tidepooling (also at Asilomar)...and then on the drive back to the bay, I like to take Highway 1 and stop off in Pescadero for some cream of artichoke–green chile soup and a short walk around town, as well as any produce stands selling strawberries and whatnot along the road. P.S. I tend to steer clear of the touristy old wharf and Cannery Row in Monterey.

There's also Moss Landing/Elkhorn Slough if you fancy a paddle in a kayak or a "safari" boat among harbor seals and mellow otters.

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I'm a huge fan of Vermont summer vacations (specifically the Mad River Valley) but last summer I took my family to Milwaukee and we all loved it! There's a fantastic local food scene there, a great urban ecology center with a climbing wall, bike trails all over the city, the lake, oodles of festivals, a world-class art museum, and Discovery World which is like a mashup of an aquarium, science, and children's museum. The baseball stadium is family-friendly and easily accessible too. I highly recommend it.

We have done Hilton Head Island in South Carolina several times and it is a great beach for families. This summer we are changing it up a bit and going to Durango, CO. We are so excited to see something totally different! I am excited about Travel Week on your blog! I have enjoyed reading all of the comments and it makes me want to plan more vacations.

The four corners! My parents took us on a long southwest road trip to the Grand Canyon ( a destination in itself) when we were very small. Along the way, we stopped where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona all meet. My sister and I loved and remembered that moment where we all stood in FOUR states at the same time. Plus, the scenery and abundant state/national parks in that area check a lot of things off the bucket list in a short amount of time. Think petroglyphs, monumental rock formations, the desert and all its wildlife, and stunning views of the completely dark night sky.

So many comments, love it (haven't read them all, so hope I'm not duplicating other recommendations).

We live in Utah and never seem to run out of vacation spots in our own state, its a hikers paradise. We love Zions National Park. It is SO fun to stay in the lodge in the park and makes it easy to get an early start on longer hikes. Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are both beautiful.

Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park in Moab are two of my favorites. You can do a raft and camp trip down the Colorado River. Delicate Arch is a must see!

I would also recommend visiting Bear Lake in Northern Utah, for camping, waterskiing and fresh raspberry shakes, or Lake Powell in Southern Utah, for house-boating and cliff jumping. Don't forget the sunscreen! With the high elevation its easy to get burned.

Here are my blog posts, of two very different adventures that I took my family with: http://dancingmischief.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/home-sweet-home-in-sweden/ & http://dancingmischief.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/our-road-adventure-trip/ that you may like to see!

We go to the beach on the North Carolina Coast every summer with our family for at least as week. We have been going since our daughter was a baby (she is now 8). If you are up for just beach and relaxing it is perfect. Is it affordable to have a house right on the beach so it makes it easy with little ones in terms of going in and out for naps and snacks and no need to pack up the car to go anywhere! We love it!!

Lake of the Ozarks, MOGatlinburg, TNSt. Louis, MO (The City Museum is AMAZING and Fitz's is a fun spot to eat)Land Between the Lakes, KY/TN -- we used to go here as a family growing up to ride dirt bikes. SO much fun!Dale Hollow Lake, TN (rent a houseboat!)Arizona--Montezuma's Castle, Karchner Caverns

We took a road trip through Western Slovakia and Southern Czech Republic last Summer that was perfect. We stayed in 2 apartments through AirBnB and drove to different castles and medieval towns every day and cooked dinner at the apartment every night. The boys loved it and it was actually relaxing for my husband and I.

I will be 30 this year, and I've not gone on vacation with my parents and family less than 5 times! Next year will be our 20th year vacationing on the outer banks of North Carolina. We started going there when I was 10, now that my siblings and I are grown with our own families we all still try to go and it's wonderful. Before we vacationed there we would go camping, in tents, and we also rented cabins at state parks in Ohio. My parents never had a ton of money especially when we were really young, thus the camping in tents, but we always went on vacation.

First time commenting but long time faithful follower of your blog! You have pulled at my heart strings here - so I must recommend a family trip to Mt. Rushmore (maybe around the 4th of July) think panning for gold, campfires, shoot-outs, hiking and majestic State and Nat'l Parks. The Badlands is also not to be missed and includes the best mega shopping strip-o-stuff you'd eva did see!!! Also recommend Mackinac Island (MI) and the surrounding area as a separate family trip too! Finally, Grand Canyon (but maybe wait til kiddos are a wee bit older)!!! So much fun & so much beauty in our country!!! ;)

So fun that Whidbey Island is included! My family camped at Deception Pass when I was a kid and when my sister and I became teenagers and wanted to plug in our curling irons for our sky-high 80s/early 90s hair, my parents got a trailer and we parked where there were full hook ups in Oak Harbor. I have wonderful memories of playing on the beaches, chasing down the ice cream truck in the summer, little hometown parades and watching the Navy jets fly over! in fact, my parents are camping there right now and we are taking our 3 year old to visit this weekend!

We love visiting Bellingham, Washington (where I went to college) and staying in the Fairhaven area. We spend a long weekend relaxing at the bookstore, eating gelato, drinking coffee, listening for trains and taking walks!

Adore all this info! I can't believe I didn't mention Minneapolis - we go every year (in February!!) to visit friends and it is such a great city, with amazing food and lots to do with kiddos (zoo, museums).

I grew up in Minnesota, and we often didn't have a lot of money to travel, but we drove up the North shore in Minnesota along Lake Superior, and spent a lot of time in Duluth. It's beautiful. We played in Gooseberry Falls, and picked up agates, and rounded glass pieces. We climbed on rocks, and watched the giant cargo ships come into the harbor under the lift bridge. It's a fun getaway.

I love traveling and before having the kids our journey were all about planes and backpacks! Now we want to focus just to our country (Italy) and Europe... Next summer we'll see Puglia & Abruzzo: sea, good food... Perfect for two little princesses!!

I love this post! I don't have a family yet, but I look forward to planning trips with them every year! So many people tell me, "get your travel in while you can." But I always traveled with my parents as a kid, so I have always planned on planning travel with mine, but people always make it out to be such a big deal and that it's not going to happen/be fun. It's just a different kind of travel. I live in FL, so I dream of taking my future kids to the mountains somewhere since they would never normally see that. I love some of these ideas though and they look so relaxing!

Suggestions for the middle of the country: Chicago is fabulous in the summer. Take in Magnificent Mile, jog along the shoreline, try to get discounted tix for museums! Wisconsin: cannot beat Door County for Lake Michigan swimming, sand dunes, camping, quiet and shopping! Michigan: The west side has enormous sand dunes for dune buggying in. You can even take your car in a ferry from Michigan to near Door County if you like. Happy traveling, everyone! We don't have enough to do anything out there either :)

I love this week's travel theme. I grew up going to an old family cottage on Martha's Vineyard and it is so special to me! But I wish we had explored a little more of the good ol' US too... never seen the South!

I grew up in Nebraska, and my family only took 1 vacation ever when I was growing up. My dad is a farmer, so he couldn't get away in the summer and they didn't have the extra funds for us to take trips.

However, my husband's family always loaded up a station wagon and took cross-country trips when he was growing up. Yosemite is still his favorite place. I have fallen in love with Colorado after being there several times. I had a blast while in Destin, FL and in Maui!

I'm New England born and raised so I can't help with middle america recommendations. My grand parents had a little place on Cape Cod so that was where we vacationed. When I was little it would just be my parents and my brother and I crammed in with my grandparents. But once I hit grade school we rented a place so there was more room. I love the Cape. We stopped going down when I was in high school. I think I was happy to work and see my friends back then, but now I miss those trips.

As a kid, my indelible travel memories were forged over a childhood of summers in Colorado & Newport, RI. In Newport, we sailed, jumped waves at Narraganset beach, saved coins to buy packs of Wrigley's gum at the ship store, and yum!!, sipped Awful Awfuls at the Newport Creamery. In CO, we hiked, picnicked at old west ghost towns, listened to bluegrass on the mountaintops, frolicked in rivers, played by streams, meandered thru flowery meadows and stargazed. In my opinion, GO WEST!! This year, we will venture into Utah for our 1st trip as a family of 4. Yeahh!!

I love the mountains in the summer. It's cooler there (I don't like stifling heat) and the scenery is so astounding, I love the Rockies. We love camping in Waterton Lakes national park (in Canada, it's actually a joint international peacepark with Glacier national park in Montana). It's pretty quiet for a national park and we love the wildlife. Every time we visit we see many bears, sometimes napping in huge pine trees just outside of town, sometimes wandering right down the path behind our campsite! The deer are the same, they just wander right by you, it's very moving.

Co and also Ut get good sites to travel along with little ones. We've got spent summertime vacation trips inside Vail/Beavercreek place and also were being astonished on precisely how household warm and friendly the two were being. Lots of actions established intended for young children : and also extremely beautiful to start. Recommend.

Co and also Ut get good sites to travel along with little ones. We've got spent summertime vacation trips inside Vail/Beavercreek place and also were being astonished on precisely how household warm and friendly the two were being. Lots of actions established intended for young children : and also extremely beautiful to start. Recommend.

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I was planning on taking a trip to California last year, but it ended up falling through. This year we are planning on taking the children to myrtle beach because we have family out there. I would have loved to take them to California because I think everyone should go at least once. Either way, vacations are important because you need to take a break from normal life now and again. http://www.sandsresorts.com/experience/